Thursday, March 18, 2010

Fool-Proof Get Rich Plan - Zero Risk

My last blog entry "Pake Does Not Mean Cheap" was essentially about professional development (enabling higher salaries) and smart money management (enabling financial security).  It offered strategies which can help one survive the depressed economy and potentially bring exponential growth to one's bank account.  Keep in mind however, while it may increase your cash, it won't necessarily make you "rich."  The unfortunate truth is most people use the wrong measuring stick to quantify wealth.

BEING RICH IS NOT having a million dollars in the bank.  It isn't living in a two million dollar house in the gated community and it definitely isn't a sixty thousand dollar BMW in the garage or a five thousand dollar Rolex on the wrist.  Nor is it owning the latest iPod, iTouch, iPhone, iPad, or fancy designer eyeglasses.

BEING RICH IS spending quality time with your children, reading to them at bedtime, helping them with their homework, coaching their sports team, or being the room-mom at their school.  It's showering your family with love and focusing on their needs over your own.  It's giving your significant-other a big hug in the morning and a kiss at night.  Being rich is helping total strangers as a volunteer at the local hospital, being a Big Brother/Big Sister, or helping an old lady cross the street.  It's backpacking in the Sierra Nevada mountains, enjoying the fresh air, clean water, and beautiful tranquility.  It's hanging out with friends and talking story.

People tend to focus too much on material things.  They work longer hours and seek promotions to feed their endless desire for more expensive cars, houses, and toys.  I have a secret -- the Jones' house is bigger, their cars are faster, and their kids have cooler iPhones…but chances are, they are not richer.  Mr. Jones works 80 hours a week as a VP and is never home, Mrs. Jones also works and gets home late, and although Junior's the star quarterback on the football team, his parents are too busy to watch his games.

I wasted the better part of the last 15 years entrenched in the job, working long hours, traveling, and sending the family on vacations without me.  Then, last year the light bulb turned on and I realigned my priorities.  I serve as an Assistant Scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts and coach the girls softball team.  I help chaperone school field trips, play basketball with my son after school (once his homework is done), help my daughter with her math, and jog fairly regularly (well, okay sometimes).  Quite frankly, I'm so busy doing this important stuff, I barely have time to work.  Ironically, I'm working less and have become much richer in return.

Follow the ten "Maui Rules" below and you'll be much richer than the Jones and the experience will be priceless.

Pictures: it was a beautiful day, so I went on a short hike on the Pleasanton Ridge.  I used my 35mm fixed focal length lens in an effort to simplify things.  It was an interesting experience and it forced me to walk around to get the right perspective.  I had to take two steps forward (or climb a hill) to zoom in and two steps back to get a wider view.

Click on the photos to enlarge them.



1 comment:

  1. Beautifully said. I have to write the Maui Rules in my daily journal. Keep it up! We're all looking forward to reading your blog and seeing the awesome photos you've taken.

    ReplyDelete